Damien Duhamel

Work experience

Nov 2006 - Present

Managing Partner Asia Pacific & Board Member

Solidiance is a marketing and innovation strategy consulting firm with focus on growth in Asia Pacific. We are devoted to working side-by-side with our clients to outpace the competition, close gaps in growth and deliver breakthroughs in performance and profitability. Our Asia focus provides our clients with a better understanding of intrinsic regional issues. We enable our clients to: * Identify and capitalise on market opportunities * Stay ahead of competitors * Instill innovation at the core

* Accelerate growth We are positioned between the traditional management consultants and the externally focused market research firms. This combination ensures that we present a unique combination of creative and analytical capabilities which in turn ensure that we always provide our clients with practical, implementable recommendations. Our offices in China, Singapore, Thailand and India enable us to execute hands-on strategy work and to provide a relevant Asia perspective. We are fast growing and we are recruiting ambitious talent in Asia. We have opportunities for experienced consultants from leading management consulting firms and engagement experience in Asia.

2000 - 2006

Managing Director Asia Pacific

Synovate Business Consulting was the market intelligence arm of market research player Synovate (Owned by London listed Aegis PLC). Took over unit in 2002. Turned around a humble unit with 32 staffs and USD 2.2 million of revenue to 106 staffs and USD 9.4m in revenues four years later during adverse market conditions. Led the opening and turnaround of 10 new offices and managed 12 Business Consulting offices across Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei) and as well as one the US (Boston). Responsible for delivering PBIT target, achieving double-digit YOY growth, and the overall Business Unit strategy. Reported directly to the Asia Pacific Chairman.

1995 - 2000

Owner, Manager

Artemis Asia, a Vietnam-based boutique market intelligence consultancy I set up this company in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to help foreign investors to invest in Vietnam in a market where information was scarce. Expanded office to Thailand in 2000. Managed client-specific research projects, mainly in the area of consumer products, agribusiness, industrial goods, hospitality, education, chemicals, and infrastructure. I was responsible for securing new business as well as all aspects of project and office management. Successfully turned a start-up into a well-established 12 staff consultancy firm with regular MNC clients from Europe and Japan as well as several foreign trade commissions.

Portfolio

Grasping the role of innovation in Asian organizations - www.solidiance.com

In this recent interview with www.enterpriseinnovation.net I defined innovation as the delivery of ideas that deliver a sustainable, competitive advantage. I noted that many companies in Asia appear to have a problem grasping the role of innovation in the organization.

This short documentary movie is about the Most Innovative Cities in Asia Pacific ranked by Solidiance, based on a comprehensive Solidiance study across the region completed in 2013. It features various innovative ecosystems in Asia Pacific and interviews with key people and/or innovators from different stakeholders (Executives, Government, Academics, Artists, and others) to provide different perspectives about innovation and its urban environment.

Tested on humans...

“Visionary leader with big picture thinking. Fun and inspiring to work with.”

Andrew Tan - Senior Consultant, Risk Advisory - PwC Australia

"He is passionate about what he does, he solves problems, and he has a track record of steady success. He is definitely the kind of person that you want to have on your team when facing adversity."

Nathan Midler - Manager, Market Intelligence - IBM Greater China

"Damien is an exceptional leader with a true entrepreneurial mind-set. He pulled the company upwards, away from the mediocre toward the exceptional."

Doerte Sennecke, CEO - 7CHEN

" I have witnessed his unusual perseverence and optimism in the face of adversity, trials and tribulations associated with the tough world of management consulting."

"A natural business man who handles clients very professionally, Damien is able to even lure the top Fortune 50 companies with charm that these have become repeat long term clients." Figin Seng Regional Director / Director, Human Capital - Primeforte

"Ethics and team spirit are important assets when leading teams to success and Damien has both. Damien is a truly exceptional manager."

"Damien demonstrated outstanding capabilities and leadership with an appetite for hard work."

Peter Snell, CEO - Synovate Business Consulting

"Damien is the expert on Competitive and Innovation Strategy. Damien was a great teacher, team leader, and a cool boss"

Deizy Latizia, Manager Market Intelligence - Bakrie Telecom Indonesia

"Damien Duhamel is influential and charismatic facing Fortune 500 senior executives client, knowledgeable and professional in front of leading media, revolutionary and successful leading a regional consulting business, well-loved and highly respected to subordinates, and, also importantly, with a good sense of humour! What more do I need to say?"

Tina Chan, Business Development Manager - PwC Hong Kong

"It was a pleasure working with you on our project. In the meantime I will not hesitate to recommend you and Solidiance as a reliable and very professional business partner" Daria Stasinska, Marketing & Supply Manager -Roxul Asia Sdn Bhd

Interests

Asia Innovation conference speaker

Innovation: books,blogs and conferences

Spoke about Innovation in the Automotive Industry at the Asia Automotive Innovation Forum 2007

Spoke about Disruptive innovation at the Asian Business Leader Forum in November 2007 and at the Singapore National University (NUS) in September 2008

Spoke about Investing in Vietnam at the Singapore German Chamber of Commerce in December 2007, at the Singapore British Chamber of Commerce in October 2008 and at the Euro Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai in November 2008

Spoke about Redefining innovation in times of economic uncertainties at the Asia Business Forum R&D Conference in Singapore in January 2009

Spoke about Rules of Innovation at the Forum on Globalization and Innovation Services in Singapore in July 2009